Member profile: Steve Revill and The Prince’s Trust
Meet Steve Revill, a long-time CIM member, here in London. Steve is a strategic marketing, communications and employee engagement expert with a 20-year client-side and consulting career. In 2011 Steve left corporate life to run his own consultancy, Unlimited Perspective. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, he also volunteers as a Business Mentor for The Prince’s Trust, one of our charity partners here in the London region. We interviewed Steve about his experience as a volunteer. You can hear more from Steve at our upcoming Professional Marketer Series event on 12 May 2016, when he’ll be one of our speakers on the topic of Reputation and Responsibility.
Tell us about yourself?
“I went to university as a so-called ‘mature’ student, having spent four years on a Yorkshire Bank Management Development scheme. I did a Business degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, where I got the taste for marketing. I joined Hewlett Packard after graduating, then I worked in financial and professional services at Barclays, RBS and BDO LLP. Along the way I gained the Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing, the Diploma in Digital Marketing, and became a CIM Chartered Marketer and Fellow.”
Setting up a consultancy was an ‘itch’ I’d been wanting to scratch for a few years – to be my own boss and to learn a broader set of business skills. Then I was fortunate that some redundancy money came along, so it was one of those ‘if not now, when?’ moments, and I took the plunge.”
Does an entrepreneur’s life suit you?
“I’ve loved working client-side in large corporate organisations, and I love running my own business. I have always been a results-driven marketer and the great thing about working for yourself is you get to deliver results for clients and hit your own business KPIs!
No two days or weeks are the same. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with diverse clients across the world on organisational change, marketing and employee development activities. I find it’s brilliant for balancing client work, volunteering and leisure time. Although the flexibility it provides sometimes has to be repaid by working evenings and weekends. I sometimes miss the banter and camaraderie that comes from being part of an in-house team, but I’m fortunate to have a great network of business partners, former colleagues and clients.”
What inspired you to become a Prince’s Trust volunteer?
“I’m the youngest of six brothers, and although we didn’t have much money growing up, we all had a great start in life thanks to our parents’ support. One day at work I saw a presentation by The Prince’s Trust and heard how the young people they help don’t always have that support at home. So I saw an opportunity to help. I get a real buzz from being involved with young people who have a passion and a business idea.”
Tell us about the young person you mentor
“Mulapi Muchunga (Muller) is the founder and CEO of Iconic Records UK, an Urban Music label. He is also the first artist on the label, performing under the name T.R.E. (The Real Edition). I started working with Muller early in 2015, helping him to refine his business plan and prepare his pitch for funding support from the Trust. I’ve already had the pleasure of seeing him perform at London Fashion Week.”
You can see the official video for his track: Remember and his merchandise range.
What support do you provide?
“I challenge his thinking, keep him focused and provide him with an external perspective and sounding board. Sometimes this means I have to adopt a ‘bad cop’ role, but I totally respect that it’s Muller’s business and he has to make the decisions that are right for him and his market.
As well as one-to-one business mentoring, I also run sales and marketing workshops and social media awareness sessions for the Trust.”
Is it rewarding?
“Without a doubt! Seeing the results is the best part for me. Instead of a graph or ROI number, you get to see your mentee’s increased confidence and personal development. I’ve also developed my coaching and group facilitation skills outside of the typical corporate arena, for example, by running workshops for young people.”
What are the prospects for Muller?
“I’m no Mystic Meg, but I predict that 2016 is going to be a massive year for Muller. With the support of the Trust, his exposure levels will increase and I am sure he will seize the opportunities that this gives him to further his business and career.”
What’s next for you?
“For the business, there’s an exciting year ahead. I’m seeing clients in the HR community further embrace Employer Brand principles across the business through values and behaviours programmes. For the Trust, I’ll be helping the fundraising team in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire with a Corporate Challenge called Million Makers.”
What advice would you give to other marketers?
“I’m a firm believer that learning is a lifelong process. Yes, getting qualified is an important achievement in itself that I would encourage every marketer to pursue, but staying relevant and up to date is even more important. The broader our perspective, the more marketable I believe we are as marketers. So to truly develop this you need to spend time outside of your company, market and comfort zone.”
About Unlimited Perspective
Unlimited Perspective is a marketing, communications and employee engagement consultancy founded and run by Steve Revill
About The Prince’s Trust
It all began in 1976, when HRH The Prince of Wales had a bold idea. Having completed his duty in the Royal Navy, His Royal Highness became dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK. He founded His Trust to deliver on that commitment.